No classes, government work today in Metro Manila, other areas

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang suspended work in government and classes in all levels in Metro Manila and 14 other areas today due to expected heavy rainfall from a low-pressure area and the southwest monsoon.

Apart from Metro Manila, covered by the work and class suspension are the provinces of Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Batangas, Cavite, Aurora, Quezon, Rizal, Laguna, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte.

However, agencies involved in the delivery of basic and health services, preparedness/response to disasters and calamities, and/or the performance of other vital services shall continue their operations and render the necessary services, according to Memorandum Circular 94 issued by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin.

The localized cancellation or suspension of classes and/or work in government offices in other areas may still be implemented by their respective local governments, pursuant to relevant laws, rules and regulations, the memo said.

The suspension of work for private companies and offices is left to the discretion of their respective heads, it said.

The order was issued upon the recommendation of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council.

No joke?

Maintaining the levity which drew controversy last month, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla announced the suspension of classes and government work today in a Facebook post on the official DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government) Philippines Facebook account.

“Mga abangers, ayon sa PAGASA, hassle ang panahon bukas. 4 na araw kayong pahinga, dagdag pa ng isa,” Remulla posted, before listing all areas affected, previously mentioned by Malacañang.

A low-pressure area (LPA) east of eastern Samar and the southwest monsoon are expected to bring widespread rains over several parts of the country, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said yesterday.

As of 3 p.m., the LPA was located 290 kilometers northeast of Maasin City, Southern Leyte, or 130 kms. east northeast of Borongan City, Eastern Samar.

Remulla posted a meme card advisory on the class and work suspension in Metro Manila, finishing with “Oh ayan, serious na ang dating ko. No joke! No joke talaga! Keep safe everyone.”

The weather system will bring cloudy skies with scattered rainshowers and thunderstorms over Metro Manila, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol Region, Northern Mindanao, Caraga and the rest of the Visayas.

PAGASA warned of possible flash floods or landslides due to moderate to at times heavy rains.

The southwest monsoon, meanwhile, will trigger rains in Zamboanga Peninsula, Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Soccsksargen, Mimaropa and Antique. Similar hazards of flash floods and landslides are expected.

The rest of the country will experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms due to localized thunderstorms.

PAGASA also issued a heavy rainfall outlook, warning that Aurora, Quezon, Laguna, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes, Masbate, Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, Leyte and Southern Leyte may receive 50 to 100 millimeters of rain up to this afternoon.

By this afternoon until tomorrow, the same rainfall volume is expected in Aurora, Bulacan, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Rizal, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Albay and Sorsogon.

Palawan and Antique will also experience moderate to heavy rains due to the southwest monsoon today, expanding to Occidental Mindoro, Negros Occidental and other areas from Wednesday to Thursday.

PAGASA noted that rainfall amounts may be higher in mountainous and elevated areas, and warned that impacts could worsen due to previous heavy rains. — Rainier Allan Ronda, Christine Boton